HOLLYWOOD (CelebrityAccess) The Associated Press opened up its coffers and brought out the list of winners from the very first Grammy Awards in preparation for Sunday night’s presentation of the 60th anniversary of the musical event.
The awards were bicoastal, presented at the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel May 4 with host comedian Mort Sahl and, in attendance, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Gene Autry, Peggy Lee, and Henry Mancini. Meanwhile, members of the “newly formed” Recording Academy met at a similar function at the Park Sheraton Hotel in NYC.
Sinatra was the top nominee with six nominations including two nods for Album of the Year for Come Fly With Me and Only The Lonely. “Witchcraft” was up for Record of the Year, which he competed for alongside a rodent.
The top two awards went to Domenico Modugno for his song “Volare,” which won Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Here is the “bad” version from Hollywood Knights with then unknown Fran Drescher.
Awards for the “Chipmunk Song” were given to William Saroyan’s cousin, Ross Bagdasarian, inventor of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The song was named best comedy performance, best children’s performance and best-engineered record.
Ella Fitzgerald got awards for best female vocal performer and best jazz performance. Henry Mancini’s Peter Gunn won best arrangement and album of the year. Perry Como won best vocal performance award for “Catch A Falling Star.”
The “hip” win went to The Champs’ “Tequila” for rhythm and blues performance. The Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley” won the Country and Western category.
